100th OG burns piano to mark end of successful flying year, honors lost US service members
Squadron Ldr. Alistair Balmer, center, Royal Air Force station commander, shares the history behind the RAF tradition of burning a piano, before one is set alight at RAF Mildenhall, England, Oct. 1, 2021. Claims behind the tradition include stories that it reportedly started during World War II to honor fallen pilots. The event also marked the end of a successful flying and fiscal year for 2021, and the team’s hard work in getting the mission done. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)